Family Favorites: The Super Stahleckers

German Christoph Stahlecker is the managing director of Pangio Consulting Ltd. and his wife, Shandong-born Zhang Xinyuan, works as a theater teacher. Together with their 2-year-old daughter Sissi, they have been living in Beijing for almost four years. They are on a mission to unearth as many of Beijing’s hidden gems as they can.

Favorite Family Restaurant Hai Di Lao hotpot. The food is good and there’s a playground for kids, where ayis will keep a careful eye on your little ones. Ladies can also relax with a manicure.

Favorite Chinese Restaurant Xihe Yaju, near Ritan Park. The restaurant has a big yard – great for sitting outside.

Favorite Hangout Once a month, Christoph goes to Schindler’s Anlegestelle (Schindler’s Docking Station) in Sanlitun to enjoy some German food and meet up with his friends.

Favorite Shopping Spot Xinyuan likes Shin Kong Place, where she picks up home furnishings and women’s clothes. For their daughter, the family likes shopping at Ritan Office Building.

Best Playground Yu Kids Island on the fourth floor of The Place is a great play area for kids. Also, Wangjing Commercial Center sometimes has a carousel in the summer.

Latest Beijing Discovery Two weeks ago, we went to Ming Tombs. After four years in Beijing, there are still more places to discover.

Family Ritual Once a week we pick up groceries, including German bread and landjäger (a type of sausage), from Lido and have a German breakfast.

Best Swimming Spot We go to the Sino-Swiss Hotel. It has an outdoor pool that doesn’t have too many people.

Best Day Trip We often go to the north of Beijing, to places like Badaling and Huairou for fishing.

Favorite Park Si’de Park. It’s a small, sweet park that is great for babies and kids. It’s also free!